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Food tours in Siem Reap: what to eat and which tour to book
Khmer food is less known than Thai or Vietnamese, and quieter in its flavours: less chilli, more fresh herbs, lime, palm sugar, lemongrass-based kroeung paste and prahok, the fermented fish paste that seasons almost everything. Siem Reap's everyday eating is rice and grilled pork for breakfast, num banh chok noodles with green fish curry, noodle soups, and evening stalls selling grilled skewers and sugar-palm sweets. Fish amok and lok lak are the dishes every visitor meets. US dollars are used alongside Cambodian riel; prices are often quoted in dollars with change given in riel, at about 4,000 riel to the dollar.
Use this page to decide what to order and where: the dishes and areas below say what each part of town does well and when the markets are busiest. The tours shown are real GetYourGuide listings, with prices as seen when we checked; confirm the current price and details on the booking page.
What to eat in Siem Reap
| Dish | What it is | Where to eat it | Typical price* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fish amok amok trey | Freshwater fish steamed in a banana-leaf cup with coconut milk, kroeung paste (lemongrass, galangal, turmeric, kaffir lime) and noni leaves until it sets like a soft mousse. Mild, fragrant and not spicy. | Khmer restaurants in town; check it's steamed rather than a soupy curry. | roughly USD 4–8 (about €3.50–7) |
| Lok lak | Stir-fried cubes of beef in a savoury sauce on lettuce and tomato, served with rice, a fried egg and a dip of lime juice, salt and black pepper. | Almost every Khmer restaurant. | roughly USD 4–7 |
| Khmer noodles num banh chok | Fresh, slightly fermented rice noodles under a green fish curry with lemongrass, topped with raw vegetables, herbs and banana flower. A breakfast dish. | Morning stalls, including the cluster of vendors along the road towards Angkor and in the markets. | roughly 4,000–8,000 riel (USD 1–2) |
| Pork and rice bai sach chrouk | Thin slices of pork marinated in coconut milk and garlic, grilled over charcoal and served with broken rice, pickles and a clear broth. The standard breakfast. | Street stalls and market food sections in the early morning. | roughly USD 1.50–3 |
| Noodle soup kuy teav | Rice noodles in a clear pork broth with sliced pork, meatballs or seafood, fresh herbs, bean sprouts and lime; eaten mostly in the morning. | Noodle shops and market stalls. | roughly USD 1.50–3 |
| Prahok dip prahok ktiss | Fermented fish paste cooked with minced pork, coconut milk and chilli into a rich dip for raw and blanched vegetables. The strongest taste of Khmer home cooking. | Khmer restaurants with traditional menus. | roughly USD 4–7 |
| Coconut rice cakes nom krok | Small cakes of rice flour and coconut milk cooked in a dimpled cast-iron pan, crisp outside and soft inside, often topped with spring onion. | Street vendors in the late afternoon and evening, especially around the markets. | roughly 2,000–4,000 riel per portion (about USD 0.50–1) |
| Red curry samlor kari | A mild coconut curry with chicken or beef, sweet potato and green beans, served with rice or baguette; made for festivals and family gatherings. | Khmer restaurants and some market stalls. | roughly USD 3–6 |
Where to eat: markets and neighbourhoods
Psar Leu (main local market)
The town's biggest and most local market, east of the centre on National Road 6, with fresh produce, fish, meat, spices and breakfast stalls. Few tourists.
Psar Chas (Old Market)
Central market by the river, part souvenir market and part working food market, with a food court of noodle and rice stalls at the back.
Pub Street and the night markets
The tourist centre near Psar Chas, with bars, restaurants and street vendors; convenient and lively, with mixed quality and higher prices.
Wat Damnak area and Sok San Road
East of the river and around the town centre, a quieter area with many of Siem Reap's better Khmer and contemporary restaurants.
Siem Reap riverside
Along the river through town, evening stalls sell grilled skewers, fruit shakes and sweets used by locals and visitors.
Food tours in Siem Reap compared
Every tour below is a real listing on GetYourGuide or Viator, checked on 2 Oct 2026. Prices move with season and group size, so treat them as a guide and confirm on the booking page.
| Tour | Length | Price* | Group | Best for | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cambodian Cooking Class from Siem Reap | 3.5 hours | from €28 per person | — | Travellers who want to cook the dishes again at home; easiest option for dietary needs, since you control the ingredients. | Check dates |
| Siem Reap Street Foods Tour by Tuk Tuk with Personal Guide | 3 hours | from €31 per person | private | Couples, families or friends who want the route and pace set around them. | Check dates |
| Siem Reap: Small Group Street Food Tour with Tuk-Tuk Ride | 3 hours | from €35 per person | max 10 | First-timers on a budget who want to try many cheap dishes in one go. | Check dates |
| Siem Reap: Half-Day Cambodian Cooking Class | 3 hours | from €28 per person | — | Travellers who want to cook the dishes again at home; easiest option for dietary needs, since you control the ingredients. | Check dates |
| Siem Reap: Morning Cooking Class & Market Tour | 5 hours | from €31 per person | — | Travellers who want to cook the dishes again at home; easiest option for dietary needs, since you control the ingredients. | Check dates |
Cambodian Cooking Class from Siem Reap
On GetYourGuide · run by Beyond. Unique Escapes
- Length
- 3.5 hours
- Price
- from €28 per person
- Rating
- 4.9 ★ from 200 reviews (on 3 Oct 2026)
- Included
- Tuk Tuk pick-up from your hotel to the cooking class venue and return to the Beyond office at the end of the tour Experienced English-speaking chef and guide Village walking tour and talk with local villagers Complime…
- Suits
- Travellers who want to cook the dishes again at home; easiest option for dietary needs, since you control the ingredients.
Siem Reap Street Foods Tour by Tuk Tuk with Personal Guide
On GetYourGuide · run by About Cambodia Travel and Tours
- Length
- 3 hours
- Price
- from €31 per person
- Rating
- 4.8 ★ from 14 reviews (on 3 Oct 2026)
- Group size
- private
- Suits
- Couples, families or friends who want the route and pace set around them.
Siem Reap: Small Group Street Food Tour with Tuk-Tuk Ride
On GetYourGuide · run by BREKSA TRAVEL
- Length
- 3 hours
- Price
- from €35 per person
- Rating
- 5.0 ★ from 7 reviews (on 3 Oct 2026)
- Group size
- max 10
- Included
- Professional English speaking tour guide Tuk Tuk Ride with experienced driver Hotel pick-up & Drop off Water & 1-Beer 10 Food Tastings Vegetarian Alternatives All entry fees Personal expenses Wine Gratuities
- Suits
- First-timers on a budget who want to try many cheap dishes in one go.
Siem Reap: Half-Day Cambodian Cooking Class
On GetYourGuide · run by Beyond. Unique Escapes
- Length
- 3 hours
- Price
- from €28 per person
- Rating
- 4.9 ★ from 7 reviews (on 3 Oct 2026)
- Included
- Cooking class Tastings Water Tips
- Suits
- Travellers who want to cook the dishes again at home; easiest option for dietary needs, since you control the ingredients.
Siem Reap: Morning Cooking Class & Market Tour
On GetYourGuide · run by Villages Cooking Class
- Length
- 5 hours
- Price
- from €31 per person
- Rating
- 5.0 ★ from 7 reviews (on 3 Oct 2026)
- Included
- Local Chef Local guide Local Market waking tour 2 dishes of main course 1 dessert Personal expense
- Suits
- Travellers who want to cook the dishes again at home; easiest option for dietary needs, since you control the ingredients.
Some links on this page are partner links. If you book through them TonyPlan earns a small commission — the price you pay is exactly the same.
Street food, sit-down or a cooking class?
Street food
Street food is mostly a morning and evening thing: bai sach chrouk, noodles and num banh chok for breakfast, then grilled skewers, nom krok and fruit shakes after dark. Choose stalls with a queue and food cooked in front of you. Prices are low; small stalls quote in riel.
Sit-down meals
Khmer restaurants serve amok, lok lak and curries with rice, often in garden settings. Lunch can be early because temple visits start at dawn; dinner is from about 18:00. A growing number of modern Khmer restaurants serve tasting menus at Western-style prices.
Cooking classes
Cooking classes are very popular in Siem Reap and often start with a market visit, then teach amok, a salad, spring rolls and a curry, usually in about 3–4 hours. Some are held in villages outside town and include transport.
How much to budget for food
| Style | Per person, per day* |
|---|---|
| Budget (street food, markets) | USD 10–15 (about €9–14; street breakfasts, market lunch, simple Khmer dinner) |
| Mid-range (one sit-down meal a day) | USD 25–40 (about €23–37; restaurant meals and a few drinks) |
| Splurge (tasting menus, wine) | USD 70+ (about €65+; modern Khmer tasting menu with wine) |
Vegetarian, halal and gluten-free
Vegetarian & vegan: Possible with care. Prahok (fermented fish paste), fish sauce and shrimp paste are in most savoury dishes, including many that look vegetable-only. Ask for 'ot sach, ot trey' (no meat, no fish). Tourist restaurants often have vegetarian versions of amok and curries made with tofu.
Halal: Cambodia has a Muslim Cham minority, and a few halal restaurants run by Cham families exist in Siem Reap, along with some Indian and Malaysian places. Mainstream Khmer food uses a lot of pork; fish and beef dishes are an option, but cooking oil and utensils may be shared.
Gluten-free: Rice-based cooking helps: rice noodles, steamed rice, amok and grilled meats are often naturally gluten-free. Soy sauce and oyster sauce in stir-fries and marinades may contain wheat; ask and carry a translated card.
Food scams and tourist traps to avoid
- The milk-powder scam: a woman or child with a baby asks you to buy formula or rice from a nearby shop, which is later returned to the shop and the money split. Don't buy goods for strangers; donate to an established local charity if you want to help.
- Tuk-tuk drivers steering you to restaurants or shops where they earn a commission, often with inflated prices. Pick restaurants yourself and give the driver the name or map pin.
- Dollar-riel confusion at stalls, with change given at a poor rate or in worn notes. Carry small dollar notes and riel; the usual rate is about 4,000 riel to USD 1. Torn US notes are often refused.
- Photo fees and inflated prices for fried insects and tarantulas presented as 'traditional' snacks on Pub Street. Agree the price before taking a photo or a bite.
Top tours & activities in Siem Reap
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Staying near the markets saves time and taxi money — most food tours start in the old centre.
Common questions
Should I use dollars or riel in Siem Reap?
Both. US dollars are used for most restaurant and hotel bills, while riel is used for small change and at street stalls. The usual rate is about 4,000 riel to the dollar. Bring clean, untorn small dollar notes, as damaged notes are often refused. Cards are accepted at many restaurants but not at stalls.
Is street food safe to eat?
Generally yes, if you choose busy stalls where food is cooked hot in front of you. Ice in drinks is usually made from purified water at commercial ice factories. Be careful with raw vegetables and herbs if you have a sensitive stomach, and drink bottled or filtered water rather than tap water.
Do I need to tip?
Tipping is not traditional but is appreciated, since wages are low. Leaving USD 1–2 or about 5–10% at restaurants is generous. Some tourist restaurants add a service charge; check the bill. Guides on food tours and cooking class teachers appreciate a few dollars per person.
What time do markets open?
Psar Leu is busiest from about 6:00 to 10:00, when locals shop and breakfast stalls are at their peak. Psar Chas sells food in the morning and souvenirs later in the day. Night markets near Pub Street open from late afternoon. Hours vary, so go early for the food sections.
How much should I budget for food per day?
Siem Reap is very cheap if you eat like locals: USD 10–15 covers street breakfasts, a market lunch and a simple Khmer dinner. Restaurant meals and a few drinks bring a day to about USD 25–40. Modern Khmer tasting menus run from roughly USD 40–70 per person before drinks.
How does eating fit around visiting the temples?
Temple days usually start at dawn, so eat breakfast early or bring something with you. There are food stalls and small restaurants near the main temple car parks, but they are pricier. Many visitors return to town at midday to avoid the heat and eat lunch there, then head out again in the afternoon.
* Prices are approximate, gathered on 2 Oct 2026 from menus, markets and the booking pages linked above. They change with season and exchange rates.